Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham takes a look at Sunday's Sha Tin card live on Sky Sports Racing.
It’s the most Wunderbar time of the year
The last Sha Tin meeting before Christmas features several strong handicaps but it all builds to the Poinsettia Handicap at 9.50 and the favourite has a huge amount to recommend him.
WUNDERBAR’s six wins from eight starts include two thrilling defeats of HK’s new star Ka Ying Rising last season and a narrow verdict over Bottomuptogether as the pair came away from Gorgeous Win and Sing Dragon over 1200m in October.
The muscular chestnut progressed again at the minimum trip last month, just failing to peg back smart 1000m specialist Magic Control as the pair forged clear, and the fact that John Size has struck form with a vengeance is another fine feather in his festive cap.
Bottom and Glorious the Quinella hopes
What’s the catch, then?
As ever when a horse has such a persuasive profile, it’s a simple question of price.
Stall 11 is wider than ideal but Wunderbar is very sharp and, after a couple of easy recent trial wins, Zac Purton should be able to put him in an ideal spot in what sets up to be a fast-run race.
He’s a hard one to oppose, all in all, but there is more than one way into this £190,000 finale and it’s tempting to head into the holidays by trying to nail the Quinella with two horses who have good speed and the scope for a bit more improvement.
The freewheeling BOTTOMUPTOGETHER has a 7lb pull for the neck he was beaten in his last clash with Wunderbar.
Frankie Lor’s gelding didn’t get home ridden aggressively over 1400m last time but more patient tactics will make him a live player, while CALL ME GLORIOUS looked firmly back on track in a strong AW race last time and is a live longshot to add to the Q mix.
Sizzling Size throws Atzeni a Lifeline
James McDonald heads back Down Under after Sunday’s meeting but the Kiwi ace has a strong book for his final day and Divano and Johannes Brahms are bound to be popular for the 8.40 and 9.15 respectively.
Divano reached a new level when recording his third success on the HKIR supporting card, relishing a strong pace to score with authority, but a 9lb hike could leave him vulnerable to something at a longer price and Wunderbar’s stablemate LIFELINE EXPRESS catches the eye.
This gelding looked a winner in waiting when short headed over course and distance on his reappearance and hasn’t had much luck in two subsequent starts, forced to come from well back from stall 14 then enduring another awkward trip when seventh in Divano’s race.
In truth, I expected a bit more from Lifeline Express two weeks ago but he’s probably best judged on his previous efforts – and a return to that level will make him hard to keep out of the money with Andrea Atzeni back aboard in the Tulip Handicap.
Brahms a must for the list
The Spruce Handicap looks shallower than many a Sha Tin Class 3 and in studying it I kept wondering why Purton seems to have jumped off Johannes Brahms to partner Lucy In The Sky.
Runner up behind Lake Forest in last year’s Gimcrack when representing Ballydoyle, JOHANNES BRAHMS has made an encouraging start for HK’s championship leader Pierre Ng, finishing third on his debut then fourth on his latest start after being left with plenty to do after a bump at the start.
Perhaps Zac was already committed to Lucy In The Sky but McDonald is the perfect replacement for Johannes Brahms and another bold bis looks assured.
Brilliant to see ex-Aidan O'Brien Windsor Castle and Gimcrack Stakes runner-up JOHANNES BRAHMS finishing a good third carrying top-weight on his HK debut - 430 days off the track.#HKRacing pic.twitter.com/GFgEWHVSpc
— Hong Kong Racing (@HongKong_Racing) November 17, 2024
Beauty worth one more chance
And, if it’s easy to make a case for Johannes then it’s also worth putting in a positive word for the luckless BEAUTY CRESCENT.
Tony Cruz’s gelding has been very costly to follow since winning a Fairyhouse Listed race for Ger Lyons in September 2022 – and his HK record reads six seconds and five thirds from 23 winless attempts – but I can’t detect much wrong with his attitude.
What’s more, Beauty Crescent has run two belters of late, finishing just ahead of Johannes Brahms on each occasion.
The market will probably assume he doesn’t have the same scope for improvement but Christmas is nothing if it isn’t a time for forgiveness and, in a weaker race than last time, maybe this will be the day that long losing streak finally comes to an end.
Sunday’s Sha Tin Selections
- 8.40: Lifeline Express (EW)
- 9.15: Johannes Brahms/Beauty Crescent
- 9.50: Wunderbar/Bottomuptogether/Call Me Glorious
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